State Senate panel names five to School District Redistricting Task Force

The Vermont Senate Committee on Committees, which includes Sens. Phil Baruth (D/P, Chittenden-Central) and Ginny Lyons (D, Chittenden-Southeast), and Lt. Gov. John Rodgers (R), has announced appointments to the School District Redistricting Task Force, created in Act 73 (H.454) of 2025, An act relating to transforming Vermont’s education governance, quality, and finance systems.

The committee was charged with appointing one retired or former Vermont superintendent, one retired or former Vermont school business manager, and three current members of the Vermont Senate, not all from the same party nor the same school district. The appointees include:

• Dr. Jennifer Botzojorns of St. Johnsbury, retired superintendent for the Kingdom East School District;
• Chris Locarno of Barre, retired director of finance and facilities for the Central Vermont Supervisory Union;
• Sen. Scott Beck (R-Caledonia);
• Sen. Martine Gulick (D-Chittenden Central) and
• Sen. Wendy Harrison (D-Windham).

In creating the district proposals, the Task Force’s goal is to increase equitable access to educational opportunity for all of Vermont’s students. The Task Force will hold public hearings, in consultation with the Commission on the Future of Public Education, to receive and consider feedback from members of the public regarding school district consolidation and proposed boundaries.

Dr. Botzojourns said, “I look forward to the important work of shaping options for the future of Vermont’s public education system.”

Locarno said, “I understand the complexities school districts face and I’m committed to helping find practical, equitable solutions that serve students, families, and communities across the state.”

Harrison, the only Senate appointee from Southern Vermont, said,  “We’ve established the framework and our success in improving the system will depend on getting the details right. I look forward to working with my colleagues on those details.”